By New Worker
correspondent
A
MIXED bag of anti-fascists from many different groups gathered once again last
Saturday in Cricklewood Broadway to prevent a march by the fascists and racists
of the South East Alliance (SEA) – a hardline breakaway from the Islamophobic
English Defence League.
As
before the core of the protest were comrades from Brent Trades Council but
there were also local councillors, members of the Green Party, Polish
anti-fascists in Dywizjon 161, members of the Labour Representation Committee,
young people in Antifa and lots of local residents. And again the local
shopkeepers and passers-by were supportive of the anti-fascists.
There
were also very large numbers of police – many more than on previous occasions –
and no prepared pens for the opposing demonstrations. Anti-fascists anticipated
attempts to kettle them to allow the fascists to pass.
So
the Antifa young people were reluctant to remain together with other
anti-fascists in one place for any length of time – though there was great
camaraderie between the groups – tossing anti-fascists chants back and forth
from one side of the road to the other. And occasionally they would make a
group dash to disorganise the police.
The
fascists arrived late and from two different directions – two small gangs
surrounded by protective police and unable to connect without passing the
crowds of anti-fascists.
Their
leader, Paul Pitt, threw one of his usual tantrums and was nearly arrested. But
he was rescued by a light-blue-jacketed police liaison officer with an
ear-piece that was clearly relaying directions from above. Pitt got away with
being confined to the naughty step yet again to calm down before police led
Pitt and his handful of supporters through backstreets to meet the rest of
their gang – numbering about 25 in total and including some veteran National
Front faces.
There
followed the usual exchange of verbal insults until the fascist presence faded
and crept away – again.
No comments:
Post a Comment